Hey, sorry for the lengthy...you know. Any way, man...I thought I was going to be done soon but now I'm not so sure! Oh well, we'll see what happens. Please read and review! Oh, and happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian reviewers!

Chapter twenty-one: Fight to the death

They made their way to the beach and were startled to see the massacre. At least half of the pirates who had originally come to the island were dead or wounded, lying in they're own blood with Will standing in the middle, alone. Down the beach, the other men ran for the cove to re-group. It was now or never.

"Hello Will." Jack shouted, coming on to the blood red beach with slow and cautious steps. Behind him, the other's followed uneasily, they're eyes fixed on the bloody ground as bile rose in their throats. None of them had ever seen anything like it.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Elizabeth moaned. Jack turned his head and watched her disappear back into the trees, Christian behind her and soon he heard the spatter of vomit hit the ground. Taking in a deep breath, Jack filled his nostrils with the smell of blood and continued, disgusted when he slipped on an ear or had to step over another rotting corpse. Flies hung in the air already, tickling his nose and irritating him. His eyes, though, stayed on Will...Alinasa...whoever.

"Not Will." Alinasa said, using Will again. Jack stopped feet from her, trying to look relaxed while still being completely alert. He had to be ready for anything. There was no telling when or how fast this woman could spring, in a man's body or not.

"Ah yes." Jack said, taking another step forward and dragging his sword in the sand behind him. "Appleasa or something. Tell me, what do you look like? I mean, you, not Will."

"Why do you care?" She asked as Bill was slowly circled Alinasa from behind While Jack tried to distract her. "Are you interested?"

"Maybe." Jack shrugged, his eyes on Will's face. "Are you?" Will's mouth curved into a smile and Jack had the feeling, though he couldn't tell, that Alinasa was sizing him up. "It must have been lonely, being trapped in that bottle for so long."

"It was." Alinasa purred. Will's hand moved up and pushed a lock of brown hair from his face, a smile forming on his lips. Jack tried to remember this was Alinasa flirting with him and not Will but it was so unnaturally disconcerting that he was still startled. "When you arrived on the island, Jack, I felt you right away. I liked you from the moment I saw you."

"Oh yeah?" Jack asked, coming forward another step. Bill was silently getting closer. "And? I know there's a but coming in there somewhere."

"But..." Alinasa's voice had grown soft. "I realized I could never love you. Especially when you try to have me snuck up on." She turned to meet Bill who attacked. Bringing her sword down she knocked his from his hands and did a backhand sprung, flinging herself over Jack's head and landing behind him. He barely had time to turn before Will was on him, wrestling him to the ground. Cold steel came to his throat...it was a dagger.

"Where did you get that?" Jack asked, staring at the hilt. It looked like it was made of some kind of gold. There were birds carved into the hilt. If it wasn't to Jack's throat he probably would have admired the beauty of it.

Bill was coming closer. He drew Jack's eyes for a moment, making Will look over to. "Will, don't make me hurt you." Bill called out, his sword raised in front of him. Will smiled and leaned down, his mouth next to Jack's. Alinasa kissed his ear.

"He'll die to, soon enough, once I dispatch with you of course." Will's voice whispered. When he pulled away, Jack stared up into those pitiless...fathoms deep black eyes with a slight thrill of fear.

"You know Will," He said conversationally, raising his eyebrows, "May I call you Will?" Will's face remained blank, "dispatch is a really big word." Bill lunged then; knocking Will off Jack just as Anamaria joined the fray. With Will and Bill wrestling on the ground, she grabbed Jack and pulled him to his feet. Over by the trees, Jack caught sight of Norrington and his men watching, ready to come in at any moment. Damn Navy! They had to work everything out before they acted on it! That's what made Norrington such an inadequate fighter! He just wasn't spontaneous.

Suddenly, Bill was thrown through the air. He landed on the sand meters away, the water washing over him. Anamaria made to fight but Jack grabbed her arm. "No!" He hissed, indicating Bill who was being continually covered by the waves. "Go help Bill. I have it." He waved the navy men back, to wait until the opportune moment and they obeyed. If he died, it would be one less hanging to do later.

"No!" Anamaria growled, "I can help here!" Jack shook his head. "Jack! You don't have to protect me forever." Jack watched her for a moment, trying not to show her how much love he suddenly felt. It hit him sudden, and with out warning, and took his breath away. Lifting a hand, he ran it down her cheek.

"For once in your life, do what I tell you. Please." Anamaria, hearing the sincerity in his voice, didn't argue but instead took off, trying to help the injured Bill to his feet.

"Shut up and die." Alinasa yelled, lunging, using a downward swipe with the sword. As Jack parried, the dagger came up cutting his cheek deeply. Blood sprayed from the wound following the dagger and Jack stumbled backwards, fighting off another vicious blow from Will's sword.

Elizabeth screamed at the side of the beach. Jack took a quick glance and saw her, Christian and Gibbs watching. Elizabeth made to approach but Anamaria stopped her. Help me with Bill!" she yelled. Jack ducked another swipe from the dagger and leapt backwards as the sword ripped the fabric of his shirt so deep he felt the metal on his skin.

It was Jack's turn to go after Will. He thrust at Will's shoulder but was easily blocked. Turning swiftly, he pulled the sword away and was caught in the side by the dagger. It tore through his flesh and he fell backwards onto his back in the sand. As he watched, Will lifted the dagger and ran his tongue over the bloody blade. He smiled wickedly.

"I'll love drinking the rest sweetheart." Alinasa said sweetly. She began to walk forward again, sword in front of Will, aiming at Jack's throat.

"There won't be a chance...honey." Jack answered. He was slightly shaken now by the fact that he had three wounds and Will's body wasn't even bruised. This woman was good. Better then Jack or Will combined. Uncontiously, he began to crawl backwards across the sand but Will's steps were longer and in a moment he had caught up. Behind him, the navy were fanning out, approaching from all sides...as was Anamaria and Gibbs as Christian and Elizabeth cared for Bill. They were all too far away.

Alinasa lifted the sword and before Jack could react, she was bringing it down. Jack closed his eyes, waiting to feel the sting of death. It didn't come. He opened his eyes and saw Will was still standing there, sword raised. His eyes though, they were brown again...not black but brown with whites and pupils. He looked like he was struggling with what was holding him, his eyes switching from black to brown and back, the sword rising slightly and then falling again.

Norrington suddenly flew past; knocking Will down onto the sand. They struggled with each other, exchanging hard blows, the sword just out of both their reaches, the dagger in the sand just beside them. Will's eyes were black again.

Gibbs grabbed Jack's arm and pulled him up, grabbing his sword and handing it to him while pulling his own. "Thank you mate." Jack muttered, turning to the two grappling shapes in the bloody sand. For once in his life, Jack was wishing the Navy would win. Around them, the navymen were tense, ready to jump in and help when called.

Anamaria came over and ran a hand down Jack's cheek, tracing a line around the deep gash. He winced and pulled his head away. "That'll leave a bad scar." She said quietly.

Suddenly Norrington was flung into the air, hitting Jack. They tumbled backwards onto the sand, a tangle of legs and arms. The Navy had gone into action the moment Norrington had gone flying and he rolled off Jack who moaned in pain as he touched the wound on his side. They both turned and stared as the other men attacked, each being cut down until only Gillette was left. He spun on the spot for a death strike and they all gasped as Will stopped the blade with his bare hands.

"How the hell..." Anamaria whispered. Norrington jumped to his feet to join his second in command as the fresh battle between Will and Gillette started again.

Jack also got up, grabbing Anamaria's arm as she made to join the fight. Jack shook his head, "Let me go Jack." She said fiercely, pushing his hand away. "We have to finish this." She grabbed her sword and walked forward as an injured Bill joined her. Jack turned and saw the dagger in the sand, blade down. His blood stained the yellow grains around it.

Weakly, he fell to the sand and began crawling toward it, his blood making a trail behind him. He tried to ignore Gibbs' cry and Bill's furious yell. Just inches from the dagger, he heard Anamaria scream and turned to see her fly through the air, hitting a tree and sliding to the base. Bill was down, his hand holding his shoulder and Gibbs beside him, blood pouring from a wound on his leg. Norrington and Gillette were feet away; unconscious on the sand and Will...Will was walking to Elizabeth and Christian who between them only had one sword. Did Christian even know which end of the sword was to stab and which was to hold?

Jack abandoned his trek for the dagger and rolled to his feet, grabbing a sword as he went. It didn't matter whose sword it was, all that mattered was stopping Will and, touching his side, he didn't care how anymore.

Will raised his sword and was about to engage in battle with Christian when Jack cried, "Leave him alone mate! Your fights with me, to the death." Will turned glaring at Jack through pitiless eyes, a smile curling his thin lips.

"You'd kill your friend?" Alinasa asked. Jack managed to shrug and glanced at Anamaria who was rising with the help of Bill. She had a large gash across her stomach.

"When he tries to kill me and his father," He motioned to Elizabeth, "And, especially women. I have a real problem with that." Will snorted and Jack was relieved when he left Elizabeth and Christian and walked back to the captain, sword dragging in the sand lazily behind him. Will knew he had the upper hand. Jack was at his mercy and that was a very bad place to be.

Anamaria screamed, a dagger from her boot poised in her hand. She flew at Will but the blacksmith raised a hand and caught her wrist. With a quick twist he broke her arm and Anamaria fell to the sand on her knees, painful tears in her eyes. Will took the dagger. There was murder in his black eyes.

With out even looking, Will flipped the dagger behind him. It hit Elizabeth in the thigh. She screamed and crumpled to the ground, unable to move. Rendered helpless once more. Christian grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, applying pressure on her thigh, his fingers delicately wrapping around the dagger as blood began to spill between his fingers. Through her fearful tears, Jack could hear Christian's soothing voice.

Bill pulled out his gun, a pained look on his tanned face. "Will, stop please!" He yelled. Will laughed and continued to walk towards Jack who tripped over a root and hit the sand hard, face screwed up in pain as he hit the back of his head on a rock. Dizzily, he heard a gun shot and Will jerked. A bloody hole appeared in his leg, just above the knee but he was still coming. Bill looked horrified.

Jack flipped over and scrambled up the beach, only noticing his sword was missing from his hand when Will picked it up. He had no weapon again.

The dagger was in the sand still. He ran to it. Somehow Will had caught up with him and kicked out Jack's legs only three or four steps from the dagger. Jack hit the sand, the grains entering his mouth. He spit them out and flipped onto his back as his sword embedded itself in the sand, hitting Jack's shirtsleeve and ripping it as he moved again to avoid the second sword.

"Quit moving." Alinasa hissed. Jack kicked his leg up as high as it would go and Will fell backwards, his nose bleeding into his mouth. Jack wasn't sure if it was broken or not but at the moment he really didn't care. Reaching far, Jack grasped the dagger and whipped around, the blade cutting into Will's forehead just on the hairline. Blood ran freely down Will's face but he didn't seem to care. Raising his sword again Will brought it down. Jack flipped backwards; grabbing one of the swords still embedded in the sand.

Their swords clanged and he stepped back, words ringing in his ears from long ago, "Good, but how's your footwork?" He asked. Will smiled and Jack crossed his feet, Will copying his movements. Last time it had really been a game, a test between to enemies seeing which was better. Then it had been a tie, Jack hadn't been scared but now...now it was a game of life or death and he knew this game he would lose.

Anamaria was up again; she pulled the second sword from the ground and walked towards Will's back, holding the sword in her good hand, holding her broken one to her chest. Will noticed Jack's eyes and turned, raising his sword. Jack knew that move; he had used it to lock the door in the blacksmith's shop four years ago. He'd throw it, it would embed itself in Anamaria and she'd die. "Ana! Watch out!"

Thoughts raced through Jack's brain. Not Anamaria! Images of her passed his mind, as though the world around him was in slow motion. The day they'd met...her hand cutting across his face...every thought, every feeling, every dream, every wish...his secret desires. Grabbing Will's arm, he pulled him backwards. Will whipped around as they came to the tree line and turned.

Jack's breath was taken away as he hit the tree, but it wasn't just the impact. Will stared into his eyes with his own pure black ones, his blade deep into Jack's gut. There was a loud THUD! As the blade sank into the tree behind him. Will stepped back and Jack instinctively looked down, staring at the blade that had penetrated him just below where Barbossa's had.

Blood seeped down his white shirt and Anamaria's terrified screams echoed in his head as the world spun. Will had killed him.

"NO!" Will screamed, banging on the walls of his 'cell', screaming until his throat was raw. He sank to the floor of his mind, sobbing into his hands. Jack was dead and it was all his fault.

Anamaria stopped as Jack shouted, "Ana, watch out!" Will had his sword in an awkward position. He was going to throw it. Fear flooded through her, she was going to die. The world seemed to move in slow motion. Jack stepped forward and grabbed Will, pulling him backwards...then, Will pushed him into a tree...there was a loud thunk of metal and wood...Will moved away...

"Oh my god!" Anamaria whispered, a swooping sensation in her stomach. The sword! The sword Will had been holding! Anamaria screamed, unbelief in every corner of her mind. Oh my god! Jack, god Jack!

Jack didn't move, his face was clouded with surprise and rage and...fear. Will turned to face her, ripping the blade from Jack's body. The captain hit the ground, blood pooling around him, running in rivers over the sand and then fell face forward to lye motionless at the bottom of the tree. Bill screamed from his and came to stand next to Anamaria, his gun in one hand, his sword in the other. She couldn't imagine the conflict he felt and at the moment she didn't care. Her heart seemed to be ripping apart. Jack was dead and she had never told him that she loved him.

"He's mine!" Anamaria screamed. Elizabeth was crying, the sobs racking her body and streams pouring from her eyes and she buried her head into Christian's shoulder. "He killed Jack! I'll kill him." Bill's head snapped from his son who stood watching her grinning, to Anamaria who shook violently. She felt cold, empty and murderous. The awful things she had said to Jack seemed to tear at her soul. He'd died thinking she hated him, now she had to avenge him...even if she died in the process.

Alinasa laughed harshly. "You love him, don't you?" she looked down at Jack's motionless body and kicked him in the ribs. Anger coursed through Anamaria and she growled. "He died well, I must say. I fought good to even with Will fighting me all the way. He's subsided though." Will touched his forehead where the blood poured into his eyes, "I think he's giving up."

"Wretch!" She screamed. Lunging forward. A minute later the world was spinning as they toppled to the ground, rolling towards the ocean hitting every part of each other they could find. When they stopped, Anamaria grasped his throat and squeezed, cutting off his oxygen. He replied by hitting her on the side of the head. Anamaria fell to the sand and her eyes widened as a fist came at her face.

PLEASE DON'T KILL ME AND NO, IT'S NOT OVER! REMEMBER WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY CAME TO FIND BEFORE YOU MURDER ME! PLEASE!

TO MY REVEIWERS:

DragonHunter200: I'm glad you liked psycho Will, I had the idea before I even had the story planned or written so, it's been in process a long while. I was a little off though about killing Jack. Please don't hate me, please! And, keep your killer hit kittens to yourself, I beg you. I get the whole "get your butt off the computer" thing to, from my dad though. No, I picture most of my heroes as being completely and utterly hot! My sister says I should dump some hormones but I can't help it, you know? Yeah? I hate to one up you on the money thing but we always get new nickels! Hah! Sorry, I'm a jerk. Our nickels usually have a moose on them and such though but we'll get weird things. I love the USA. I actually am now planning to move to New York so...The US Rules!

PussInBootsAndMonkeyzNamedJack: Yeah, I love Christian! He's hot...in my mind and I'm glad you like him. Bill needs sleep? I can just see that...Bill, honey are you tired? Are you grumpy? It's beddy bye time.

Brigitte: I'm sorry; I saw that as completely different man! It was funny though. I have a sick mind so...I can turn anything into that but I seriously thought that was what you meant! Sorry! LOL!